Salon Chair Buddy Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a novel salon chair buddy device. The device is designed to secure to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin head at any desired position and/or angle. The device comprises a pair of open and close release plates that will allow the device to fit on any salon chair. The release plates will open and close via a control knob which allows the release plates to open to a maximum and minimum width. Above the release plates, the device further comprises an axis ball joint which supports a mannequin head. Once secure, the axis ball joint allows the mannequin head to move to any desired position or angle. Further, the back of the device can also comprise a storage tray component used to support styling items.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S.Provisional Application No. 63/246,924, which was filed on Sep. 22,2021, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of salon chairdevices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improvedsalon chair buddy device that provides users with a clamp-style bracketthat can be secured to a salon chair, allowing users and stylists topractice on a mannequin at any desired position or angle. Accordingly,this disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is tobe appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equallyapplicable to other like applications, devices, and methods ofmanufacture.

BACKGROUND

By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in salonchairs. Barbers and stylists may need to consistently practice theirskills on mannequins and wigs to learn how to style hair for a client.Users may lack the means to stabilize a mannequin and/or a wig,resulting in frustration and difficulties during their learningexperience. Further, if a mannequin head can be stabilized, it typicallycan only be placed in one position.

Thus, it is necessary for users to have a means for securing a mannequinhead to a salon chair to practice cutting and styling hair. Further,users need a means for securing the mannequin head at any desiredposition and/or angle, as well as allowing a user to change the angleand/or move the mannequin head as needed during use. During use, barbersand stylists must be able to wash, cut, style, color, dry, etc., amannequin’s hair, and thus must be able to move the mannequin head inmultiple positions and/or angles as needed.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a salon chairbuddy device that provides users with a clamp-style bracket that can besecured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on amannequin at any desired position or angle. There is also a long-feltneed in the art for a salon chair buddy device that allows users tofirmly secure the device to the back of a salon chair via a knob thatmoves the plates of the device between a maximum and minimum width.Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddydevice that includes a small knob that can rotate to any desiredposition and angle to support a mannequin head at a desired position.Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device thatfeatures a storage plate on the back to accommodate styling tools likecurling irons, flat irons, etc. Further, there is a long-felt need inthe art for a salon chair buddy device that offers a way for barbers andstylists to practice on a mannequin, enabling them to wash, style, cut,color, etc., in a simple and convenient manner. Finally, there is along-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that stabilizesa mannequin head in multiple positions and/or angles.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a salon chair buddy device. The device is designed tobe secured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practiceon a mannequin head at any desired position and/or angle. The devicecomprises a pair of open and close release plates that will allow thedevice to fit on any salon chair. The release plates will open and closevia a control knob, which allows the release plates to open to a maximumand minimum width. Above the release plates, the device furthercomprises an axis ball joint which supports a mannequin head. Oncesecure, the axis ball joint allows the mannequin head to move to anydesired position or angle. Further, the back of the device can alsocomprise a storage tray component used to support styling items, such ascurling irons, flat irons, etc. Thus, the device allows barbers andstylists to wash, cut, style, color, etc., the mannequin hair forpractice.

In this manner, the salon chair buddy device of the present inventionaccomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with adevice that enables users to wash, style, cut, color, etc., amannequin’s hair for training purposes. The device provides users with aclamp-style bracket which secures to a salon chair for retaining amannequin head in a desired position and/or angle. The device fits mostsalon chairs and is securable to most mannequin heads.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summaryis not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identifykey/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its solepurpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodimentthereof, comprises a salon chair buddy device. The device is designed tobe secured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practiceon a mannequin head at any desired position and/or angle. The devicecomprises a pair of open and close release plates that will allow thedevice to fit on any salon chair. The release plates will open and closevia a control knob, which allows the release plates to open to a maximumand minimum width. Above the release plates, the device furthercomprises an axis ball joint which supports a mannequin head. Oncesecure, the axis ball joint allows the mannequin head to move to anydesired position or angle.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a pair of open and close releaseplates. Typically, the pair of open and close release plates are amirror image of each other, but do not have to be identical and can beany suitable size and shape as is known in the art. The pair of releaseplates are disposed in a spaced apart position, one in front of theother, movably secured together to form a generally cylindrical cavity.The generally cylindrical cavity is then positioned over a salon chairback and secured.

In one embodiment, the device comprises a control knob that is used tomove the release plates closer together or farther apart, depending onthe width of the salon chair back in which the device is being securedto. Typically, the control knob is threaded through the first releaseplate and then movably secured to the second release plate. Thus, whenthe control knob is rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, it moves therelease plates. A user would rotate the control knob to move the releaseplates farther apart. Once in a desired distance, the release plates areplaced around a salon chair back. The control knob is then rotated in anopposite direction to move the release plates closer together. Therelease plates are then secured around the salon chair back.

In one embodiment, the device comprises an axis ball joint that securesthe mannequin head to the device. The axis ball joint is a typical balland socket joint that allows the mannequin head to swivel in multipledirections and angles during use. Typically, the mannequin head issecured to the axis ball joint via any suitable securing means as isknown in the art, such as gluing, welding, screwing, etc.

In one embodiment, the device secures a mannequin head in multiplepositions and/or angles, but any suitable portion of a mannequin can beused, including the torso, etc.

In one embodiment, the back of the device comprises a storage traycomponent used to support styling items, such as curling irons, flatirons, etc. The storage tray component can be any suitable tray as isknown in the art. The tray can have multiple opening and/or throughholes which can hold various styling items and accessories as is knownin the art, based on the needs and/or wants of a user.

In yet another embodiment, the salon chair buddy device comprises aplurality of indicia.

In one embodiment, the salon chair buddy device is typicallymanufactured from sheet metal or other suitable flexible metals, orheat-sealable plastic or polymers, such as polypropylene oracrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), or any other suitable material asis known in the art, etc. Generally, the salon chair buddy device isalso manufactured from a material that is water resistant or waterpermeable.

In yet another embodiment, a method of securing a mannequin head indesired positions and/or angles on a salon chair is described. Themethod includes the steps of providing a salon chair buddy devicecomprising a pair of open and close release plates controlled by a knob.The method also comprises positioning the release plates over the backof a salon chair and twisting the control knob to secure the releaseplates against the salon chair back. Further, the method comprisessecuring a mannequin head to the axis ball joint. Finally, positioningthe mannequin head in any desired position and/or angle as needed foruse.

Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparentto those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading andunderstanding the following detailed specification.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certainillustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein inconnection with the following description and the annexed drawings.These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various waysin which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and areintended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Otheradvantages and novel features will become apparent from the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description refers to provided drawings in which similar referencecharacters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of thesalon chair buddy device of the present invention in use in accordancewith the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of thesalon chair buddy device of the present invention in accordance with thedisclosed architecture;

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of thesalon chair buddy device of the present invention wherein the axis balljoint rotates in accordance with the disclosed architecture;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of thesalon chair buddy device of the present invention wherein a mannequinhead is placed on the axis ball joint in accordance with the disclosedarchitecture;

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of one potential embodiment of thesalon chair buddy device of the present invention disclosing the storagetray component in accordance with the disclosed architecture; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart showing the method of securing amannequin head in desired positions and/or angles on one potentialembodiment of the salon chair buddy device of the present invention inaccordance with the disclosed architecture.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, whereinlike reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout.In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovationcan be practiced without these specific details. In other instances,well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form inorder to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments arediscussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are describedonly to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are notintended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limitthe scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment neednot have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in otherembodiments, any of the features described herein from differentembodiments may be combined.

As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chairbuddy device that provides users with a clamp-style bracket that can besecured to a salon chair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on amannequin at any desired position or angle. There is also a long-feltneed in the art for a salon chair buddy device that allows users tofirmly secure the device to the back of a salon chair via a knob thatmoves the plates of the device between a maximum and minimum width.Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddydevice that includes a small knob that can rotate to any desiredposition and angle to support a mannequin head at a desired position.Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device thatfeatures a storage plate on the back to accommodate styling tools likecurling irons, flat irons, etc. Further, there is a long-felt need inthe art for a salon chair buddy device that offers a way for barbers andstylists to practice on a mannequin, enabling them to wash, style, cut,color, etc., in a simple and convenient manner. Finally, there is along-felt need in the art for a salon chair buddy device that stabilizesa mannequin head in multiple positions and/or angles.

The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel salonchair buddy device. The device is designed to be secured to a salonchair, allowing barbers and stylists to practice on a mannequin head atany desired position and/or angle. The device comprises a pair of openand close release plates that will allow the device to fit on any salonchair. The release plates will open and close via a control knob, whichallows the release plates to open to a maximum and minimum width. Abovethe release plates, the device further comprises an axis ball jointwhich supports a mannequin head. Once secure, the axis ball joint allowsthe mannequin head to move to any desired position or angle. Further,the back of the device can also comprise a storage tray component usedto support styling items. The present invention also includes a novelmethod of securing a mannequin head in desired positions and/or angleson a salon chair. The method includes the steps of providing a salonchair buddy device comprising a pair of open and close release platescontrolled by a knob. The method also comprises positioning the releaseplates over the back of a salon chair and twisting the control knob tosecure the release plates against the salon chair back. Further, themethod comprises securing a mannequin head to the axis ball joint.Finally, positioning the mannequin head in any desired position and/orangle as needed for use.

Referring initially to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a perspectiveview of one embodiment of the salon chair buddy device 100 of thepresent invention. In the present embodiment, the salon chair buddydevice 100 is an improved salon chair buddy device that allows mannequinheads 102 to be attached to any salon chair 104 and positioned at anydesired angle for use. The device 100 is designed to be secured to asalon chair 104, allowing barbers and stylists 106 to practice on amannequin head 102 at any desired position and/or angle. The device 100comprises a pair of open and close release plates 106, 108 that willallow the device 100 to fit on any salon chair 104. The release plates106, 108 will open and close via a control knob 110, that allows therelease plates 106, 108 to open to a maximum and minimum width. Abovethe release plates 106, 108, the device 100 further comprises an axisball joint 112 which supports a mannequin head 102. Once secure, theaxis ball joint 112 allows the mannequin head 102 to move to any desiredposition or angle.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the device 100 comprises a pair of open and closerelease plates 106, 108. Typically, the pair of open and close releaseplates 106, 108 are a mirror image of each other, but do not have to beidentical and can be any suitable size and shape as is known in the art.The pair of release plates 106, 108 are disposed in a spaced apartposition, one in front of the other, movably secured together to form agenerally cylindrical cavity 200. The generally cylindrical cavity 200is then positioned over a salon chair back 202 and secured. The releaseplates 106, 108 can be movably secured together via any suitablesecuring means as is known in the art, such as welding, gluing, screws,bolts, a hinge, etc. In another embodiment, the release plates 106, 108are formed as a single, integral piece and bent into shape, forming thegenerally cylindrical cavity 200.

In one embodiment, the device 100 comprises a control knob 110 that isused to move the release plates 106, 108 closer together or fartherapart, depending on the width of the salon chair back 202 which thedevice 100 is being secured to. Typically, the control knob 110 isthreaded through the first release plate 106 and then movably secured tothe second release plate 108. Thus, when the control knob 110 is rotatedclockwise or counterclockwise, it moves the release plates 106, 108closer or farther apart. Thus, a user would rotate the control knob 110to move the release plates 106, 108 to the desired distance. Once at adesired distance, the release plates 106, 108 are placed around a salonchair back 202. The control knob 110 is then rotated in an oppositedirection to move the release plates 106, 108 closer together. Therelease plates 106, 108 are then secured around the salon chair back202. The release plates 106, 108 can move using any suitable movingmeans as is known in the art, with or without use of a control knob orany other control component as is known in the art, depending on thewants and/or needs of a user.

As shown in FIGS. 3-4 , in this embodiment, the device 100 comprises anaxis ball joint 112 that secures the mannequin head 102 to the device100. The axis ball joint 112 is a typical ball and socket joint thatallows the mannequin head 102 to swivel in multiple directions andangles during use. The axis ball joint 112 can be any suitable movablejoint as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of auser, as long as the movable joint allows the mannequin head 102 to moveand swivel in multiple directions and angles. Typically, the mannequinhead 102 is secured to the axis ball joint 112 via any suitable securingmeans as is known in the art, such as gluing, welding, screwing, bolts,adhesive, etc.

Further, the device 100 secures a mannequin head 102 in multiplepositions and/or angles, but any suitable portion of a mannequin can beused, including the torso, arms, legs, full body, etc., depending on theneeds and/or wants of a user.

As shown in FIG. 5 , the back or rear of the device 100 comprises astorage tray component 500 used to support styling items (not shown),such as curling irons, flat irons, etc. The storage tray component 500can be any suitable tray as is known in the art. The tray 500 can havemultiple opening and/or through holes 502 which can hold various stylingitems and accessories as is known in the art, based on the needs and/orwants of a user. The tray 500 can be any suitable size and shape as isknown in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. Thetray 500 can have a ridge or lip around its perimeter or can just be aflat shelf or plate structure, depending on the needs and/or wants of auser.

In yet another embodiment, the salon chair buddy device 100 comprises aplurality of indicia 504. The release plates 106, 108 may includeadvertising, a trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters,printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the outer surface, or anyother indicia 504 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitableindicia 504 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but notlimited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters,words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may ormay not be salon or brand related.

Furthermore, the salon chair buddy device 100 is typically manufacturedfrom sheet metal or other suitable flexible metals, or heat-sealableplastic or polymers, such as polypropylene oracrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethyleneterephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, etc. or any othersuitable material as is known in the art, etc. Generally, the salonchair buddy device 100 is also manufactured from a material that iswater resistant or water permeable, or the release plates 106, 108 cancomprise a coating that is water resistant or water permeable.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart of the method of securing a mannequinhead in desired positions and/or angles on a salon chair. The methodincludes the steps of at 600, providing a salon chair buddy devicecomprising a pair of open and close release plates controlled by acontrol knob. The method also comprises at 602, positioning the releaseplates over the back of a salon chair and twisting the control knob tosecure the release plates against the salon chair back. Typically, thecontrol knob is threaded through the first release plate and thenmovably secured to the second release plate. Thus, when the control knobis rotated clockwise or counterclockwise, it moves the release platescloser or farther apart. Further, the method comprises at 604, securinga mannequin head to the axis ball joint, such that the mannequin headcan move and swivel in multiple positions and angles. Finally, at 606,positioning the mannequin head in any desired position and/or angle asneeded for use.

Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claimsto refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the artwill appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature orcomponent by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components or features that differ in name but notstructure or function. As used herein “salon chair buddy device”, “salonchair device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the salonchair buddy device 100 of the present invention.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the salon chair buddy device 100 of thepresent invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as isknown in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention,provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One ofordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the salon chair buddydevice 100 as shown in FIGS. 1-6 are for illustrative purposes only, andthat many other sizes and shapes of the salon chair buddy device 100 arewell within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensionsof the salon chair buddy device 100 are important design parameters foruser convenience, the salon chair buddy device 100 may be of any sizethat ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user’sneeds and/or preferences.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplaryembodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. While the embodiments described above refer to particularfeatures, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments havingdifferent combinations of features and embodiments that do not includeall of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presentinvention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications,and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with allequivalents thereof.

What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subjectmatter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivablecombination of components or methodologies for purposes of describingthe claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art mayrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimedsubject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter isintended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variationsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in eitherthe detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to beinclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising”is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A salon chair device for securing a mannequinhead to a salon chair and positioning the mannequin head at a desiredangle for use, the salon chair device comprising: a pair of open andclose release plates; a control knob; and an axis ball joint; whereinthe pair of open and close release plates are disposed in a spaced apartposition, movably secured together to form a generally cylindricalcavity; wherein the control knob allows the pair of open and closerelease plates to open and close to a maximum and minimum width,respectively; and further wherein the axis ball joint secures amannequin head to the salon chair.
 2. The salon chair device of claim 1,wherein the pair of open and close release plates are a mirror image ofeach other.
 3. The salon chair device of claim 1, wherein the generallycylindrical cavity is positioned over a salon chair back.
 4. The salonchair device of claim 1, wherein the control knob is threaded through afirst open and close release plate and then movably secured to a secondopen and close release plate.
 5. The salon chair device of claim 4,wherein when the control knob is rotated in a clockwise orcounterclockwise direction, the pair of open and close release platesmove closer together or farther apart, respectively.
 6. The salon chairdevice of claim 1, wherein the axis ball joint is a ball and socketjoint.
 7. The salon chair device of claim 6, wherein the mannequin headis glued to the axis ball joint.
 8. The salon chair device of claim 1further comprising a storage tray component.
 9. The salon chair deviceof claim 8, wherein the storage tray component comprises a plurality ofopenings.
 10. The salon chair device of claim 9, wherein the pluralityof openings retain a plurality of styling items and accessories.
 11. Thesalon chair device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of indicia.12. The salon chair device of claim 1, wherein the salon chair device ismanufactured from a sheet metal.
 13. A salon chair device for securing amannequin head to a salon chair and positioning the mannequin head at adesired angle for use, the salon chair device comprising: a pair of openand close release plates; a control knob; an axis ball joint; and astorage tray component for storing a plurality of styling items andaccessories; wherein the pair of open and close release plates aredisposed in a spaced apart position, movably secured together to form agenerally cylindrical cavity that is positioned over a salon chair back;wherein the control knob allows the pair of open and close releaseplates to open and close to a maximum and minimum width, respectively;and further wherein the axis ball joint secures a mannequin head. 14.The salon chair device of claim 13, wherein the axis ball joint is aball and socket joint.
 15. The salon chair device of claim 13, whereinthe control knob is threaded through a first open and close releaseplate and then movably secured to a second open and close release plate.16. The salon chair device of claim 15, wherein when the control knob isrotated in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the pair of openand close release plates move closer together or farther apart,respectively.
 17. The salon chair device of claim 13, wherein thestorage tray component comprises a plurality of openings.
 18. The salonchair device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of openings retain theplurality of styling items and accessories.
 19. The salon chair deviceof claim 13 further comprising a plurality of indicia.
 20. A method ofsecuring a mannequin head in a desired position or at a desired angle ona salon chair, the method comprising the steps of: providing a salonchair device comprising a pair of open and close release platescontrolled by a control knob; positioning the pair of open and closerelease plates over the back of the salon chair and twisting the controlknob to secure the pair of open and close release plates against a backof the salon chair; securing the mannequin head to the axis ball joint,such that the mannequin head can move and swivel in multiple positionsand at multiple angles; and positioning the mannequin head in thedesired position and at the designed angle.